Stating the obvious, much like everything else, Halloween is going to be different this year. BUT, that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a real good, real socially distanced time this weekend thanks to a solid combo of virtual and IRL programming. We’ve got digital dance parties, cemetery strolls, spooky outdoor movie screenings and more on deck, so prepare to be enthralled! (Also, please be responsible and stay safe! Masks! Hand washing! Holding onto your inhibitions for dear life if you choose to imbibe!) But first, let’s cover some stuff you might’ve missed on BYT this week:
- For starters, VOTE. And consider helping out Bartenders Against Racism, who are looking for volunteers and donations to keep voters hydrated and fed at the polls.
- Get pumped for BentTV’s Halloween Live Scream with this GHOSTLY GOGO playlist Lemz made for us.
- And save the date for November 16th, which is when DC Cocktail Week is back in action (with a twist).
- We went to Planet Word and have officially deemed it DC’s coolest new museum, and we took photos at Strathmore’s Monuments, which we have officially deemed DC’s coolest outdoor exhibit.
- We spoke with Matthew Talley about how Cool Kids Vinyl (now open on the second floor of Maketto) is much more than just a record store.
- We also spoke with Cassidy King about her new record, owning her queerness and more.
- And before ADHD Awareness Month wraps up, check out our chat with Jenn Welch, host of LadyHD podcast, about bein’ a lady with ADHD interviewing other ladies with ADHD.
- Scope our music video premieres for queer South Indian artist Aish Divine’s “Unfurler” and French multi-instrumentalist Orava’s “Going Backwards”.
- WE LOVED BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM.
- In need of food ideas this weekend? All Purpose is doing a $20.20 election deal; order any $20 pizza and get a 16oz can of DC Brau VOTE for just $0.20. Or if you’re more into Halloween vibes, Baltimore’s Charmery is doing nightmare ice cream flavors including Orange Juice & Toothpaste and Fava Beans & Chianti.
- And here’s the SP00KY EDITION of BYT Picks ft. our best Halloween costumes (pictures included), favorite scary books ‘n movies, our plans for the weekend and more.
Friday October 30th
- First of all, definitely spend your day with Air and Space Museum over on Instagram, where they’ll be hosting ScareSpace: Stories with an Air of Mystery all day long.
- Later, catch an outdoor screening of Beetlejuice at The Wharf; groups of 2-6 can reserve cabanas ($20 minimum per person, which includes a $10 reservation fee), all guests must be 21+.
- Meanwhile, Songbyrd will be screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show; two people per table, minimum $25 spend per table.
- Or if you’re down to trek out to Baltimore, Cross Street Market is hosting an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus.
- Speaking of Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler is set to virtually reunite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy for “In Search of The Sanderson Sisters, A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover” to benefit NYRP; starts at 8pm ET, tickets are $10.
- In terms of tunes, there’s a real good virtual show happening via BABY TV ft. Haley Blais, Buzzy Lee and more; starts at 8pm ET, tickets are just $5 a pop.
- Dan Deacon, meanwhile, is going live on Twitch starting at 8pm for FREE.
- Speaking of free Twitch streams, the Halloween covers shows are kickin’ off early with heckdang as PUP, Oceanator as Green Day, Mint Green as Phoebe Bridgers and more. Starts at 6pm ET.
- And before leaving Twitch territory, we’ve got another Long Neck party, this time ft. poetry by Sadie Dupuis and more starting at 7pm ET.
- Or if GWAR is more your jam, you can catch a $15 virtual show at 6pm ET. (Which honestly feels a little early for GWAR vibes but maybe that’s just me.)
- Just wanna hang out with Ana Fabrega, Sarah Squirm and more? Cosmic Country Showcase starts at 9pm ET via Hideout Chicago’s live stream, and tickets are $15.
Saturday October 31st
- Candy corn is a contentious foodstuff, but if you’re about it, you’ll be pleased to know you can take a 10am $18 virtual class on how to make it from scratch at home.
- Then make sure to swing by Emancipation Square in Lincoln Park from 1-7pm; Ada Pinkston is doing a super-cool public participatory performance called Empty Pedestals that invites bystanders to share their perspectives on monuments and the future.
- You can also take part in an LGBT History Month walking tour of Congressional Cemetery this afternoon; HCC is the only known cemetery in the world with a dedicated LGBTQ section, which is bonkers but cool.
- Tonight, you can dance up a spooky storm from the comfort of your own home via the aforementioned BentTV Halloween Live Scream ft. Lemz, Pussy Noir and more, which’ll be broadcast from 9:30 Club via Twitch starting at 9pm ET.
- Plus Black Cat’s Eighties Mayhem dance party is going virtual, and is Beetlejuice-themed this year; starts at 9pm ET, free but donations welcome.
- If you’re okay with the idea of going out (in a responsible, socially distanced fashion), Songbyrd is hosting Tipsy60 XL Power Hour Costume Party at its outdoor eatery starting at 9pm; $25 minimum spend per table.
- Back at home, you can catch House of Nod Halloween Special via BABY TV starting at 9pm ET ft. Japanese Breakfast, Gabby’s World and more. (Technically free, but show a little love w/ $5+!)
- Pabllo Vittar is also hosting a virtual party ft. Christine and the Queens, Alice Glass, Purity Ring, Kim Petras, Ela Minus and more starting bright ‘n early at 8am ET. (Also free, hell yeah!)
- Speaking of bright ‘n early vibes, we’ve got Ratboys Halloween Telethon happening on Twitch starting at 1pm ET ft. Diet Cig, Illuminati Hotties, Oceanator, The Beths, PUP, OHMME, Charly Bliss and more.
- Death Valley Girls, meanwhile, will be going live via NoonChorus at 9pm ET for a very seasonally appropriate $6.66.
- And Animal Collective, Geologist, Avey Tare (DJ set), Deakin (DJ set) and Panda Bear (DJ set) will broadcast via nugs.tv at 9pm ET for $13.
- More into movies and down to clown in Baltimore? The Charles Theatre is doing a $10 outdoor screening of Evil Dead II.
- Plus Guinness Open Gate Brewery (also in Baltimore) will host an outdoor screening of Ghostbusters with drinks and snacks available for purchase. (Just make sure you drink responsibly and have a designated driver set up if you imbibe.)
Sunday November 1st
- Looking to shake up your plant collection? PLNTR is hosting a socially distanced pop-up plant swap at Right Proper from 2-5pm, so grab your greens ‘n get ready to do some trading.
- Meanwhile, Happy Trees Harvest Fest returns to ANXO, this time socially distanced, but featuring limited edition ciders and loads of fun (including a District Dogs costume contest) from 9am to 5pm; dress as Bob Ross or a happy tree for $10 store credit.
- You can also celebrate Día de los Muertos outdoors (and for free) at National Portrait Gallery, where visitors can contribute memories of loved ones to altars located on the stairs. There will also be a 2-hour live visual performance by MasPaz and Guache, which will be projected onto the museum facade starting at 6:30pm.
- More into staying home? Tune into the 4th annual Día de los Muertos Benefit Festival, which is happening virtually from 3-7pm ET; 100% of proceeds will support The Young Center and Rostros Sabios.
- Plus 92Y is hosting Scott Frank and the cast of The Queen’s Gambit as they join Jodie Foster for a virtual conversation about the show at 7pm ET.
- AND Brooklyn Brainery is hosting a 7:30pm $6 virtual course titled Fashionably Strange: A History of Victorian Creepiness. (HERE FOR IT.)
Don’t forget to tag #BYTHINGS on IG in your weekend adventures; here’s what y’all got up to last weekend in case anybody needs even more inspo.
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